Master of Science in Human Services Administration

The Master of Science in Human Services Administration is an advanced degree that prepares graduates with the knowledge, values, and skills they need to administer a human services agency. Students will study methods of leadership, management, board development, program planning, community needs assessment and program evaluation. They will learn how to conduct a community needs assessment and then determine if gaps in service exist in a community. If so, they will learn how to create new services or improve upon existing ones. Students will learn how to organize a private for profit, or non-profit organization as well as a social entrepreneurship. Courses will include exercises on developing 501 (c)(3) applications, organizing a board of trustees, and implementing a mission statement. Funding for different types of agencies will be reviewed with students working on grant applications, foundations, or learning about small business loans and other capital. Students will have an optional field placement course if they want the experience of interning in a human services agency in an administrative capacity. They will complete applied classes where they will learn how to develop new organizations in their communities, how to search for funding, develop fundraising ideas and plans, market their programs, worked with boards of directors, and recruit a volunteer workforce if needed. Graduates will be prepared for administrative jobs in healthcare, child welfare, aging, mental health, counseling, or other human services agencies. They will also be trained in program development if they choose to create their own community service agency.

Expected Program Outcomes

Program graduates will be able to:

Develop a strategy and fundraising plan for a human services organization

Identify fundraising tools that include people, skills, equipment, and technology

Locate websites and organizations that are sources for public and private grants,

foundations, and contracts

4. Develop a grant application for use in a human services organization

6. Recognize and understand the National Organization for Human Services Code of Ethics

7. Discuss the history and the need for past and present human services and the vulnerable populations they serve such as children, the aged, mentally and physically challenged, victims of crime and abuse, those living in poverty, substance abusers, and those who are chronically ill

8. Describe new models of human services organizations including private for profit, private non-profit, and social entrepreneurship